# McConnell vs. McGrath for Kentucky Senate seat! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 9, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773 "2019-07-09T15:03:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/1 "2019-07-09T15:03:42Z")
[Mitch McConnell has a challenger!](https://apnews.com/fd2f738e59974dad9ec227bd1d7ad132) And she’s actually got a shot at this, IMO. > [@](#): > > Amy McGrath, a Marine combat aviator who narrowly lost a House race to an incumbent Republican in Kentucky, has set her sights on an even more formidable target: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. > > McGrath, whose campaign announcement video in her House race showcased the viral power of social media to raise money and national profile, said Tuesday she will be trying to defeat one of the most entrenched officials in Washington in McConnell. But she sees him as vulnerable because of his lengthy tenure in Washington, his stance on health care and his taut allegiance to the policies of President Donald Trump. > [@](#): > > McGrath, 44, will almost certainly be able to raise enough money to mount a serious challenge to McConnell, 77, but she is still a decided underdog in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since Wendell Ford in 1992. > > “I’ve been always somebody who stepped up to the plate when asked, when I felt like my country needed me, and this is one of those times,” McGrath said in an interview. > > She is attempting to repeat her viral moment with [a new video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d3skEMCIgU&feature=youtu.be), one that leans hard on idealism while also attacking McConnell as the embodiment of a dysfunctional Washington. > > “I felt like somebody needs to stand up to him,” McGrath said. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/2 "2019-07-09T15:13:58Z")
Certainly an uphill fight in a ruby red state but she has as good a chance as anyone to oust McTurtle. As in every race that counts, it all comes down to Democratic turnout. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/3 "2019-07-09T15:41:28Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Certainly an uphill fight in a ruby red state but she has as good a chance as anyone to oust McTurtle. As in every race that counts, it all comes down to Democratic turnout. Elections analyst Rachel Bitecofer of the Wason Center for Public Policy at CNU says no, [this one doesn’t, and that’s the problem](https://twitter.com/RachelBitecofer/status/1148548547677233153). Her claim is that in Kentucky, there just aren’t enough Democrats, even with a big surge in Dem turnout, to overcome the fact that Kentucky is R+15. You’ve got to get Republicans to vote against Mitch, and there’s little prospect of that. Her take on McGrath is: great candidate, would likely win if she were running against Thom Tillis in NC. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/4 "2019-07-09T15:46:13Z")
Yeah, she’s definitely the underdog. But we need to contest every race, and put forward the best candidates we can, because sometimes the underdogs win. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/5 "2019-07-09T15:49:09Z")
Right. Who’da thunk that we’d have a Democratic Senator from Alabama? I think Dems have to fight for every seat. Even if a Democrat wins the White House, without 50 Democratic Senators not much will get accomplished. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/6 "2019-07-09T15:50:35Z")
I don’t know the history of Kentucky senate races, but maybe the people of Kentucky just need some Democrats to get in there and give them a reason to vote Democratic. Hell, it can’t hurt, and it sure would be great to send that legendary obstructionist packing. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/7 "2019-07-09T16:00:03Z")
Here’s why I think she has a chance: Right now, Mitch McConnell is indisputably part of the Trump Administration. His actions are enabling and helping things get done. The public knows this. Things in this country are not going to get better between now and Election Day 2020; I just don’t see the economy improving, more people getting healthcare, etc. If Mrs. McGrath (? she is married but did not take her husband’s name; is that the right honorific?) can tap into that and solidly show that Mitch McConnell is a part of the cause, she’s got a shot. And frankly, I don’t think it’ll be hard to pin him as a part of the fiasco that’s been taking place for the past couple of years, not by the time September 2020 rolls around. Still a longshot, but I feel like there is cause for hope. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/8 "2019-07-09T16:02:34Z")
If he’s a turtle, he’s a snapping one. I remember reading a while back about when the tea party made a move to primary McConnell. The opponent seemed honestly flabbergasted by how hard team turtle came at him. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/9 "2019-07-09T17:51:07Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > If he’s a turtle, he’s a snapping one. I remember reading a while back about when the tea party made a move to primary McConnell. The opponent seemed honestly flabbergasted by how hard team turtle came at him. Hopefully, Ms. McGrath will learn from Matt Bevin’s mistake and not only expect Turtle-Man’s blatant attacks, but be ready with a counter-punch. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/10 "2019-07-09T18:39:02Z")
MSNBC not helping her with this video title: [Meet The Retired Fighter Pilot Who Will Take On Sen. Amy McConnell](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5yOIryPBI8). 😛 ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/11 "2019-07-09T18:41:08Z")
Glad to see this. Small chance and an uphill climb, but it’s still possible. We’ll see. Got to put your best foot forward (i.e. solid candidates) to have a chance at things like this. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/12 "2019-07-09T18:46:34Z")
She lost the House race to Andy Barr by about 3% so she definitely has support in Kentucky. The key is: how much support can McConnell lose by Election Day? ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/13 "2019-07-09T18:53:08Z")
Let’s not forget that McConnell is 77 years old. Not ancient by today’s standards, but still more susceptible to some health issues. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/14 "2019-07-09T20:02:59Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > She lost the House race to Andy Barr by about 3% so she definitely has support in Kentucky. The key is: how much support can McConnell lose by Election Day? Uh, no. Her loss was similar to the last few races in that district and the district was held by Dems as recently as 2010. Her loss there, in a blue wave year, makes me think she’s got no chance at all statewide. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/15 "2019-07-09T20:17:42Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Uh, no. **Her loss was similar to the last few races in that district** and the district was held by Dems as recently as 2010. Her loss there, in a blue wave year, makes me think she’s got no chance at all statewide. Bolding mine. Ballotpedia says otherwise: 2018 McGrath 48%, Barr 51% 2016 Kemper 39% Barr 61% 2014 Jensen 40% Barr 60% In 2012 it’s true that Barr beat Chandler (D) by about 51-47, but worth pointing out is that 2012 marked a somewhat new map for the district. Anyway, if by “the last few races in the district” you mean “some races dating from 2012 and before,” then your statement is absolutely correct 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/16 "2019-07-09T21:07:02Z")
Yeah, I misread a little there but I think it’s also worth noting that it went Dem in '04, 06, 08 and 2010. So I think it’s not some good sign for the statewide election that she only lost by 3% in the 6th district. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/17 "2019-07-09T21:13:27Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Let’s not forget that McConnell is 77 years old. Not ancient by today’s standards, but still more susceptible to some health issues. From your mouth to the Devil’s ears… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/18 "2019-07-09T22:32:47Z")
Mitch McConnell on why the US should not pay reparations: > [@Mitch McConnell](#): > > We tried to deal with our original sin of slavery by fighting a Civil War, by passing landmark civil rights legislation, elected an African American president. I don’t think we should be trying to figure out how to compensate for it. First of all, it would be hard to figure out whom to compensate. Saying that the only reason Obama got elected was a sop to black people in response to slavery is not going to help him in this election, IMO. Plus he got at least two of those three things wrong. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/19 "2019-07-09T22:41:37Z")
Oh, did he slip up there and admit that the Civil War was about slavery? Shit, Republican truth obfuscators everywhere are probably feeling their reality unwind around them. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773/20 "2019-07-09T22:51:58Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Right now, Mitch McConnell is indisputably part of the Trump Administration. His actions are enabling and helping things get done. The public knows this. Trump has a +15 approval rating in KY. It’s going to take a lot more than tying McConnell to Trump. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcconnell-vs-mcgrath-for-kentucky-senate-seat/836773.md?page=2)